With just a single command from Yuki Seisui, black-purple chakra began to coalesce in Shukaku's mouth.
This time, Kurama didn't stop him.
The Tailed Beast Ball was the most powerful attack a Tailed Beast could unleash.
For the vast majority of the ninja world, even the Tailed Beast Ball of a single-tail like Shukaku was a catastrophic force, a disaster comparable to divine punishment.
Beside Shukaku, Kurama was also gathering chakra within himself.
It seemed that all Tailed Beasts required a moment of concentration to unleash their Tailed Beast Balls.
This was understandable; such overwhelming power could not be instantaneous. An instant attack from an infinitely chakra-rich Tailed Beast would be far too overpowered.
Watching the fleeing Sand ninja, Seisui's lips curved slightly.
It seemed that most of the Sand ninja were so focused on escaping that they hadn't noticed the Tailed Beasts' movements—but in truth, many were aware of Shukaku and Kurama.
They were desperately trying to put more distance between themselves and the incoming Tailed Beast Balls, fleeing at incredible speed.
Seisui stood atop Kurama's head, arms crossed. As the two Tailed Beast Balls fully formed, they were released simultaneously.
"BOOM!"
"BOOM BOOM!"
The explosive thunder shook the heavens, forcing even those Sand and Leaf ninja who were not hit, or who were still resisting, to stop in their tracks.
"What… what is that?"
A Sand ninja dropped his kunai unconsciously, his mind already numb.
"Can such monsters really be defeated?"
He turned to face the devastation, and before finishing his words, collapsed to his knees.
"You all deserve this!" Chiyo's eyes reddened as she watched the two towering explosions.
Those were the backbone of the Sunagakure's forces. Even if only half remained, the loss, combined with Shukaku being controlled by Konoha, was enough to knock the Sunagakure out of the Five Great Ninja Village rankings.
The daimyo couldn't even account for the losses.
Future funding would likely vanish entirely.
"The Sunagakure is finished," Ebizo muttered from the shadows, watching the fallout of the two Tailed Beast Balls. "I am the village's sinner."
Inside Shukaku, Bunpuku closed his eyes tightly in anguish.
Shukaku was controlled, but he wasn't. Though he had been released, Shukaku could only move his body; Bunpuku could still observe the world outside.
Seeing Shukaku and Kurama's devastating attack, he felt the weight of his own sins as a Jinchuriki.
"This… is Seisui-sama's power?!"
"It's incredible!" Asami Kumo's eyes widened as she watched the rising mushroom clouds in the distance, swallowing nervously.
Yet there was no fear in her eyes—only excitement. She shouted to those around her, heart racing:
"Did you see that?!"
"This is Seisui-sama!"
"This is the power of Seisui-sama!"
"To follow Seisui-sama is our greatest fortune!"
"Asami Kumo is right! We are so lucky to be beside Seisui-sama!"
"Seisui-sama!!!"
"Seisui-sama!!!"
"Seisui-sama!!!"
As their voices grew louder, the surrounding Leaf ninja began to shout as well.
At first, it was just Seisui's devoted fans, then the cheers spread outward. Soon, every Leaf ninja present joined in the chanting.
Amid the crowd, Minato scratched his head, watching the distant mushroom clouds rise.
"The range… the power… hiss… so familiar."
"I think I've been hit by this before…"
He remembered the fear he'd felt in the duel arena under Seisui's control.
That "chakra cannon" was unforgettable.
Even as Minato thought of it, Uchiha Haru mingled in the crowd, her small face flushed, shouting along with everyone.
"Long live Seisui-sama!"
At first, she was shy, but once she spoke, the burden lifted. She grew confident, shouting in rhythm:
"Long live Seisui-sama!"
But Seisui had no time for their cheers.
Once Shukaku released the Tailed Beast Ball, it had served its purpose.
Seisui narrowed his eyes, and Shukaku immediately retracted back into Bunpuku.
"Monk, why don't you open your eyes?"
Bunpuku remained seated cross-legged, while Seisui stood atop Kurama's head, unafraid of him running off.
"The killing was too great… I dared not."
Bunpuku made no excuses, no pretense. He admitted he was afraid.
"What is there to fear?" Seisui spread his arms atop Kurama, arrogantly.
"This world is such."
"Survival of the fittest!"
Bunpuku remained unmoved; Seisui's words conflicted with his worldview. He chose to ignore them.
Seeing no response, Seisui continued.
"This world is a vast hunting ground."
"Between people, there are only three relationships."
"Ants, rivals, and the strong."
"Weaklings are ants."
"Those on par with me are rivals."
"Those stronger than me are the strong."
"In this hunting ground, there is no mercy, no compassion."
"There is no Buddha you pray to!"
Seisui's gaze cut like a blade, staring down at the still-sitting Bunpuku.
"Strong survive, weak perish!"
Hearing this, Bunpuku finally opened his eyes. His clear gaze settled on Seisui for a long moment before speaking:
"Master, you've gone mad."
"Mad?"
"I am not mad. This is simply the way of the world."
"You divide people into three types, saying the world has no mercy… yet you are mercy itself," Bunpuku said, eyes on Seisui.
"To them, you are mercy," he pointed at the cheering Leaf ninja.
"Your existence… is their compassion."
"Where there is compassion, the Buddha exists."
"You are mistaken, monk," Seisui replied, turning to the cheering Leaf ninja. His eyes narrowed slightly; the scene was blurry, but he could still see Uchiha Haru waving her fan with the crowd.
"I have no mercy. No great love."
"Their cheers are only because I ended this war."
"And all of this… is ultimately because of my strength."
"This is the world: the strong decide all."
"I am strong. Today, it is your Sunagakure who dies, but I could also annihilate Konoha ninja if I wished."
"In essence, they are vassals of the strong. Let them live, and they live. Let them die, and they must die."
"Isn't this how the ninja world works?"
"Before the First Great Ninja War, the villages signed peace treaties. But with the death of the First Hokage, your true nature showed."
"And later, the Second Great Ninja War was ignited by you."
Seisui paused, glancing at Bunpuku, a smile tugging at his lips:
"Now, in the Third Great Ninja War… tell me, monk, who is stirring it up?"